Coyotes Spotted in the Chicago Heights Area: Where You've Seen Them
We compiled a map of recent coyote spottings in town. Here's what you need to know about the elusive animals.
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Have you seen any coyotes lurking around town recently? If so, you're among the scores of Patch readers who've already sent in their spotting locations. Now, we're not telling you this to scare you. In fact, according to the Cook County Coyote Project, there hasn't been a documented case of a coyote attacking a human in Illinois since at least 1985—the beginning range of the study. On top of that, there have only been two cases of coyotes killing a human in the U.S. and Canada in modern history.
That said, residents are indeed reporting interactions with local coyotes and we want to keep those numbers from getting any higher. The Cook County Coyote Project website says one of the best ways to prevent coyote conflict is to avoid feeding them, whether that be intentional or not.
Furthermore, coyotes typically come out at night. If you see a coyote during the day, that's indication the animal may be more bold and therefore more likely to attack. If you ever find yourself in this situation, the study recommends you yell, wave your arms and try to throw something at the coyote. Never run away!
While coyotes have been known to attack pets, the Cook County Coyote Project says coyotes do not frequently attack dogs, and when they do, they tend to be smaller dogs. Cats, on the other hand, may represent more alluring targets. Don't lose too much sleep over it, though. The vast majority of a coyote's diet is made up of mice and rats.
If you run into what you think might be considered a "nuisance" coyote, don't hesitate to call Cook County Animal Control at 708-974-6046.
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sandra
8:01 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
They have been seen around 13th & Edgewood. Also Chicago Hts Animal Hospital did emergency surgery on a small dog last week, who was attacked by a coyote around 10 PM at night. I know of a cat killed last summer by a coyote (early in the AM). People should not allow their pets out alone. And perhaps should not even be walking dogs late at night or early in the morning.
Gammie
9:01 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
We've had coyotes in unincorporated C.H. Olympia Gardens all year. So far we've been able to scare them off when they were ready to attack our dog. They are bold & quite comfortable in the suburbs, according to authorities. As far as calling Cook Co. Animal Control, don't bother...I have called on more than one occasion & been told that they are not authorized to deal w/them because they are a protected animal! They referred me to another agency & I got the same response. They said we simply have to live w/them & I can throw moth balls or a bleach or vinegar soaked rag in the culvert where they are living at the end of my driveway because they will move out. And they did...to another driveway down the block. And they, as well as fox are roaming freely w/children playing outside...sadly nobody seems to care about the kids...perhaps they're not "protected" like the animals!
Linda Daniels
9:09 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
Hazel Crest- near the library on 183rd St. They howl at night.
Denice
10:59 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
Late one night I saw one near the intersection of Joe Orr and Western. I was quite surprised once I realized it was not a dog. Once it crossed Western it turned around and look back at me. Not a comfortable feeling. Call me a chickem but I rolled up my car window and got out of there.
I haven't seen any coyotes in my area, just the occasional deer usually in the fall and winter. I live a couple of miles away from all of the other sitings on the map, but now I'm going to have to seriously re-think letting my cats go out in the backyard. I tend to do my gardening and yard work in the morning and they come outside with me. I usually let them stay out on their own for an hour or so. In the summer they like to go out at night an catch fire flies, or I let them out while I'm star gazing. Until now my biggest worry was the cats having a run in with the possum that lives under my shed or the raccoons that I sometimes see near my bird feeders.
bob
1:19 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
hell steger has had them around for years this aint anything new
Rudy Cruz
8:38 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
"Protected species?"
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has had a YEAR ROUND coyote hunting season for several years.
Danno
8:37 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Hunting tomorrow ill let everyone know if I help with the overpopulation!
Lila White
11:03 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I grew up at 205th and Gardner! Less houses then and I don't remember having them 40+ years ago.
Lillian
4:29 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
This is just outside of the Heights but though I'd still mention it. On Holbrook just off of Halstead we saw one two nights ago.
Sandra
4:17 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
2-20-2013 Spotted one at 7:30 PM in Graymoor - Was walking my lab in our fenced in back yard because the dog kept jumping the 4 ft fence. Coyote looked at us than I waved my hands & growled and it took off
Jose Ramos
10:46 pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2013
I've seen a pack of 6 in the forest preserve at Cicero and Vollmer, they were not afraid, I waved my hands didn't turn my back on them and grab a long branch .